War and Love (Malayalam - Video)

A war on viewers

Video Review
War and Love
Starring: Dileep, Prabhu, Siddique, Vijayaragahvan, Sai Kumar, Kalabhavan Mani, Indraja, Laila
Lyrics: Yousefali Kecheri
Music: Mohan Sithara
Cinematography: Azhagappan
Editing: G Murali
Script, dialogues: Vinayan, J Pallasheri
Story, direction: Vinayan
Tetco Video

Much-delayed in its production, War and Love created just about a flutter at the box-office — and that thanks to Dileep's prevailing super-star status. The film on its own is so utterly contrived, it is an open war by Vinayan on viewer sensibilities.
In the name of patriotism, the director goes all out spewing burning vitriol that heals no wounds and digs into the ones that two nations now look determined to leave behind. The only relief about the whole proceedings is that the actors seem to have had some fun at the expense of the director — such is their half-hearted show. Even talented actors look like utter amateurs lost in situations they have no clue how to enact.
War and Love is strictly formula stuff. It starts with off with a show of patriotism, it ends pretty much on the same note, with the director adding on some cross-border romance and secular comments for added effect. Otherwise, it follows a pattern of firing guns, a gush of tears, exploding bombs, loud-mouthed and monotonous villains... And then there are the songs sprinkled wherever Vinayan feels like.
Every one in the film's regiment of Indian soldiers happen to be Keralites. They were seen together at the engagement reception of their senior officer, Sarath Chandran (Prabhu). Now, along with his fiancee Hema (Indraja) they are at the warfront. They have saved one village from "enemy" hands, but a traitor in the army leads them to an ambush.
All of them (Dileep, Kalabhavan Mani, Siddique, Sadique, Jagadish etc) are captured; they are tortured and made to work like slaves. But then Dileep, having saved the honour of Laila, the opposition head's daughter, finds time to romance, even as his compatriots die or are killed for their loyalty to their country.
Meanwhile, there is a missile to be defused, and militant groups to be handled, which is all entrusted to Vijayaraghavan, who has managed to penetrate a militant organisation. After many songs, dances, patriotic dialogues, and what not, some heroes die as patriots, some live to become motivational speakers. In Vinayan's world, there are only shades of black and white, and there is also an abundance of melodrama. Much of the film is pretty laughable — the scenes, the sets, the situation, the acting, the direction — all look immature.
Among the plethora of actors, only Vijayaraghavan manages to leave an impression — he has an author-backed role too. Prabhu is adequate; Dileep is simply out of place. Kalabhavan Mani, Jagadish et al go by the grind.
War and Love is taxing; how much it would have taxed its producer as he watched his cash go up as smoke and fire...